ClubPre-season round-up: Four wins, USA return, broken records and Foundation impact

For Arne Slot’s first home experience since being appointed head coach, the Reds faced La Liga sides Sevilla and Las Palmas back-to-back.

Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz (two) and Trey Nyoni all netted as Sevilla were beaten 4-1 in front of almost 60,000 fans, before a goalless stalemate ensued in the second match of the afternoon, played behind closed doors.

“We saw in both games a lot of good things but I can make a big list also of things we have to improve, which is completely normal,” said Slot.

“Some of them with the certain new ideas we have, have only been [working] with this for a week so they have to adjust to that, they have to adjust to each other maybe with these some new ideas. So it’s normal that we are far from perfect, but even being far from perfect we can score four, so that’s a good start.”

The return to Anfield followed a 12-day trip to the USA, the club’s first Stateside visit for five years, which included three games and three wins for Slot’s men.

“It’s a part of being one of the biggest clubs in the world, is you’ve got supporters who are all over the world,” said LFC chief executive officer Billy Hogan. “Many of whom will never have the chance to come to Anfield and never get the chance to see Liverpool play a match live in the UK or Europe.

“It’s our opportunity, and we feel like it’s our responsibility, to take the club out and to be able to engage with supporters more directly.

“It’s important for us to do that wherever we are in the world, that’s something we really look forward to when we come out to these communities, doing events in the communities and really engaging with our supporters here on the ground.”

The tour began in Pittsburgh, where a Dominik Szoboszlai goal defeated Real Betis at Acrisure Stadium, which welcomed more than 42,000 supporters for the fixture.

Liverpool subsequently moved on to Philadelphia, where their meeting with fellow Premier League side Arsenal established a new landmark for football.

Lincoln Financial Field, home of NFL team Philadelphia Eagles, hosted its biggest ever crowd – 69,879 – for the sport. And they witnessed Slot’s men clinch a 2-1 victory on the night, with Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho the scorers.

Fixture No.3 of the journey took place in Columbia, South Carolina, with Williams-Brice Stadium the venue for a much-anticipated clash with rivals Manchester United.

Here, 77,559 spectators braved weather conditions that had earlier seen a thunderstorm pass through, to watch on as Carvalho, Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas scored in a 3-0 Liverpool success.

The attendance to witness the Reds’ final chapter of this USA trip was the largest crowd ever gathered to watch a football game in North or South Carolina.

Off the pitch, meanwhile, the club sought to deliver a lasting impact on the host country through the work of official charity LFC Foundation.

Among a range of activities overseen by the foundation was a series of soccer clinics on every stop in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and South Carolina.

LFC Foundation and Reds legends also made a visit to UPMC Children’s Hospital during their time in Pittsburgh, before organising a special event in Philadelphia in partnership with Make-A-Wish America and Dream On 3.

A host of Liverpool men’s players – including the likes of Salah, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Jota – and head coach Slot met four terminally ill young Reds fans and their families.

And, in association with BOSS Night, there were a number of fan events in the build-up to and on matchdays across the time in the States that featured the much-loved performances of Scouse singer/songwriter Jamie Webster.

“Our tour of the United States was both successful and enjoyable,” said Slot. “With a lot of really good work put in on the training pitch and also a chance for those new to the club, such as myself, to get a real taste of the passion and commitment of our global supporters.

“To see the fans in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Columbia – at the hotel, at the training sessions and at the matches – was a reminder of this club’s incredible worldwide appeal.

“I knew it before, of course, but it never hurts to be reminded, and it was certainly a special experience for me as a new head coach.”

• Photos: Local LFC Supporters Clubs relish Reds during USA tour